More detail on this person: Gary Bill Hayes,
61, of Nixa, Missouri died February 15, 2002 after
a 3-year battle with cancer. Gary, who was a
member of the class of 65-3, served in Vietnam
with C/1/9 CAV in 1965 and 66. His early aviation
career was as a pilot with the Missouri Highway
Patrol. He moved on to become a well-know legend
with the Missouri National Guard serving as an
instructor pilot and safety officer. After
retirement He continued to work as a state safety
inspector. His wife of many years, Velda and his
three daughters, Lisa, Kim, and Jana survives
Gary. Gary has touched the lives of many and will
be remembered through stories for many years.
See Ya, Gary. This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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Date posted on this site:
03/10/2024
Copyright © 1998 - 2024 Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association
From: L. Rutledge
Gary Bill Hayes, 61, Nixa, passed away Friday,
February 15, 2002 in his home. He was born July
27, 1940 in Marshall, Mo., the son of Harry and
Marie (McKenna) Hayes.
On October 12, 1963 he and Velda Mae Eckhoff
were married. He served his country in the Vietnam
War and was a member of the Missouri National
Gaurd. He was an instructor pilot and and also
worked as a safety inspector for the State of
Missouri, and a as a pilot for the Missouri
Highway Patrol. Gary was a wonderful husband and
father to his girls and was loved by all those who
knew him. He was a member of Family of Christ
Lutheran Church in Nixa. Survivors include his
wife, Velda, "Pete" Hayes; three daughters, Lisa
Hayes, Kansas City, Kim Abbott and her husband
Thomas Martin Abbott, Jefferson City, and Jana
Hayes, St. Louis; his mother, Marie Hayes,
presently residing at Christian Health Care of
Nixa; two grandchildren, Randi and Megan Abbott;
a brother, Paul Curtis Hayes, San Diego, Calif.;
and a sister, Carolyn Sue Kehl, Lake Arrowhead,
Calif He was preceded in death by his father and
two brothers, Elwood Hayes and Dennis Hayes.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday,
February 19, in Family of Christ LutheranChurch,
Nixa, with Pastor Dale Bond officiating. Burial
with military honors will follow in Missouri
Veterans Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3 to5
p.m. Monday, in Adams Funeral Home, Nixa.
Memorial donations may be made to the American
Cancer Society.